Kayak Rack Recommendations

[Westside88]

I picked up a couple of the plastic type kayaks this weekend for use on local lakes. I can haul them in my truck or even my wife's Honda Pilot with the seats folded down and the lift hatch up. It would be nice to have a rooftop rack. I'm wondering if anyone has a system they have used or can recommend. I'd like to keep it reasonable price wise. Maybe someone has one they don't use they'd like to sell? Any tips are appreciated, thanks

[Westside88]

Should have mentioned the Pilot is a 2003

[Okanagan]

I've also got two kayaks and two vehicles.  To get me by till I bought a rack, I used the foam blocks with a V on one side for the boat hull and a groove intended to fit over a rack bar on the other side.

Foam block tip:  The foam blocks gradually slide out from between roof and kayak while you drive unless you strap the foam block to the boat, and then the boat to the roof of the car.  Run cinch straps through the channels in the foam block and around the kayak.  Use separate straps to tie the unit of boat and foam blocks to the vehicle.   For short drives in decent summer weather, I ran the hold down straps inside the car with the doors open, then closed the doors.  Careful with cinching if you do this because it is easy to tear the rubber door molding. Roof racks are way superior but until you get some...

Now I have Rino roof bars on my 4x4 and use the same foam blocks on the bars.  There are better systems that cost a LOT more but mine works. 

[rainshadow1]

If you have crossmembers on your roof rack then I've found these to work very well... you can find them for $50 for a pair (4 units.) You have to remember to strap to the main roof rack system (not just the crossmember,) but they work great and are very easy to mount, load and unload.

I just hauled my sons' 2 ten foot fishing kayaks 4 hours on the interstate with pvc pipes as crossmembers! Tied in hard to the side bars and secured to the front and back, but still. (That was yesterday!) You can mount them to many interesting things. Very handy. Even for storage at home if you're creative!

[Westside88]

I've also got two kayaks and two vehicles.  To get me by till I bought a rack, I used the foam blocks with a V on one side for the boat hull and a groove intended to fit over a rack bar on the other side.

Foam block tip:  The foam blocks gradually slide out from between roof and kayak while you drive unless you strap the foam block to the boat, and then the boat to the roof of the car.  Run cinch straps through the channels in the foam block and around the kayak.  Use separate straps to tie the unit of boat and foam blocks to the vehicle.   For short drives in decent summer weather, I ran the hold down straps inside the car with the doors open, then closed the doors.  Careful with cinching if you do this because it is easy to tear the rubber door molding. Roof racks are way superior but until you get some...

Now I have Rino roof bars on my 4x4 and use the same foam blocks on the bars.  There are better systems that cost a LOT more but mine works.

Where did you get the foam blocks? It has a rack but no crossbars yet. The blocks might be good for a setup involving my pickup bed

[Westside88]

If you have crossmembers on your roof rack then I've found these to work very well... you can find them for $50 for a pair (4 units.) You have to remember to strap to the main roof rack system (not just the crossmember,) but they work great and are very easy to mount, load and unload.

I just hauled my sons' 2 ten foot fishing kayaks 4 hours on the interstate with pvc pipes as crossmembers! Tied in hard to the side bars and secured to the front and back, but still. (That was yesterday!) You can mount them to many interesting things. Very handy. Even for storage at home if you're creative!

This looks like a good setup. I have a rack, but no crossbars yet. Where did you purchase these?

[rainshadow1]

I just got mine off ebay, not the Thule model just found their pic, plenty good for $50.

There are other good designs for wood and aluminum racks that can hold up to 5 kayaks for the truck bed, maybe double that for a trailer. Interweb and a jigsaw!

The foam blocks will work well inside the roof rack rails, but usually for one boat.

[follow maggie]

Thule makes anything you'll need

[Okanagan]

I've also got two kayaks and two vehicles.  To get me by till I bought a rack, I used the foam blocks with a V on one side for the boat hull and a groove intended to fit over a rack bar on the other side.

Foam block tip:  The foam blocks gradually slide out from between roof and kayak while you drive unless you strap the foam block to the boat, and then the boat to the roof of the car.  Run cinch straps through the channels in the foam block and around the kayak.  Use separate straps to tie the unit of boat and foam blocks to the vehicle.   For short drives in decent summer weather, I ran the hold down straps inside the car with the doors open, then closed the doors.  Careful with cinching if you do this because it is easy to tear the rubber door molding. Roof racks are way superior but until you get some...

Now I have Rino roof bars on my 4x4 and use the same foam blocks on the bars.  There are better systems that cost a LOT more but mine works.

Where did you get the foam blocks? It has a rack but no crossbars yet. The blocks might be good for a setup involving my pickup bed

Below is a link to the shape of blocks that I use.  I bought mine as blocks onely, not a kit, at Western Canoe and Kayak, in Abbotsford, BC.

  https://www.amazon.com/seattle-Sports-Universal-Carrier-18-Inch/dp/B000982DV2/ref=pd_sbs_468_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000982DV2&pd_rd_r=NJQKSQEDEB20MD8YSJ19&pd_rd_w=JU9PR&pd_rd_wg=y7EEc&psc=1&refRID=NJQKSQEDEB20MD8YSJ19

[Westside88]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help

[Hunter mike]

I would buy the Thule crossbars for your Pilot and probably the fairing too to reduce wind noise when nothing is up there.  IMO you really only need the fancy Kayak holders if you need to maximize space on rack (usually for a bike, cargo box etc), so depends on the width of the boat and crossbars you choose.  I've used the soft pads on the bars (same as I use for surfboards) and just set the kayak on those and strap it tight to the bars.  For really long boats you may also want a strap to front or rear bumper.  The "give" of the soft pad lets you really get a tight cinch.  I've also used pipe insulation in place of the pads but it's a pain in the butt having to always stow it. 

The best straps I've found are Dakine brand - heavy duty and I've had the same 2 pair for years.